Orioles Outfielder Austin Hayes Puts Identity in God Not Baseball
By Movieguide® Contributor
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Austin Hayes hasn’t always put his identity in Christ, but when he did, everything changed.
In an interview on the “Sports Spectrum Podcast,” Hayes talked about the difference between putting his identity in baseball versus in Christ.
“I was somebody who always put a lot of my identity in how I was performing,” he began. “So, my life felt whole, and I felt happy, and I felt like I was a success when I was playing well. And when I wasn’t playing well, I felt like I was failing or I wasn’t working hard enough. I was doubting decisions I would make day in and day out. So, that was a big adjustment for me, to not put my entire identity as a man and as a human being in the success of my sport.”
“Coming to the realization that the anxieties that come with baseball, the fear that comes with failure, the amount of failure that you have, it’s not sustainable to live your life based off of how someone is going to judge you as a baseball player,” he added. “That window is so small in your life. You’re gonna play for some years, you’re gonna retire, and you have a whole life ahead of you.”
“So, to start to understand that I can take everything that comes with baseball, I can take it to God,” he concluded. “I don’t have to do it myself. I don’t have to manage it myself or feel like I have to be in control of everything because ultimately baseball is a very difficult sport. I’m a position player so I fail more often than not. I think with that much failure I can’t go at it alone, I can’t go at it by myself.”
Hayes’ commitment to his faith carries over into his interactions with his teammates.
“Austin Hays is a big influence,” said Orioles pitcher Tyler Wells. “You have guys who aren’t afraid to talk about [faith].”
He’s also open about his faith on social media, frequently thanking God for his family.
“God’s greatest gifts,” he posted along with photos of his sons and wife.
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